| Company | Kuya Silver |
| Mine | Bethania Mine |
| Date | 2022-02-21 |
| Region | Peru |
| Commodities | Silver, Lead, Zinc, Copper, Gold |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Throughput | 350 tpd |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Bethania Silver Project, formerly known as Mina Santa Elena, is a polymetallic deposit located in central Peru. Historical toll processing between 2013 and 2016 confirmed the high value silver-rich content of the mineral source, with silver reporting primarily to Pb-concentrates and remaining silver to Zn-concentrates. The principal minerals are galena and sphalerite, with silver potentially associated with sulfosalts like proustite and pyrargyrite. While past production records indicate saleable Pb and Zn concentrate grades, no metallurgical testwork has been completed to confirm the production of saleable Cu concentrates.
Buenaventura Ingenieros SA (BISA) completed basic design and siting for the Planta Bethania concentrator between 2019 and 2020, with environmental permitting granted in August 2020. The proposed plant is designed for a capacity of 350 tpd, handling mineralized rock up to 180mm, primary crushing to 100mm, and secondary crushing to 10mm. The process flow includes grinding, classification, and flash, bulk, differential, and cleaner flotation for Pb and Zn concentrates, with potential inclusion of Cu concentration if cost-effective.
The design assumes head grades of 3-4% Pb, 3% Zn, and 10-15 oz/t Ag. However, the process design is not yet supported by current NI 43-101 defined mineral resources or reserves. Kuya Silver has lost its small producer status, necessitating a review of mining methods and underground stoping designs to maximize production. The project remains in the development phase with detailed engineering ongoing as of early 2021.
Website: https://kuyasilver.com/project
Report Date: 2022-02-21
Region: Peru
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Silver, Lead, Zinc, Copper, Gold
Throughput: 350 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type: Underground
Ore type: Sulphide
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Bethania Silver Project – NI 43-101 Technical Report
Bethania Silver Project – NI 43-101 Technical Report
| Company | Minera Toro de Plata |
| Date | 2021 |
| Region | Not Specified |
| Commodities | Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver |
| Mine Type | Not Specified |
| Throughput | 350 tpd |
| Mine Life | Not Specified |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Bethania Silver Project Technical Report outlines the engineering design for the Minera Toro de Plata facilities, developed by BISA Ingeniería de Proyectos S.A. The plant is designed to process 350 tonnes per day of mineralized material with average head grades of 0.3% Copper, 4.0% Lead, and 3.0% Zinc. The facility aims to produce copper, lead, and zinc concentrates with significant silver content recovery.
The processing plant utilizes conventional technology involving a two-stage crushing circuit, a single grinding and classification stage with flash flotation, and distinct flotation circuits for bulk, lead/copper separation, and zinc recovery. The design includes thickening and filtration stages for concentrate dewatering, along with tailings thickening for water recovery. The plant operates on a 24-hour schedule with specific availability targets for the crushing and grinding facilities.
Metallurgical testing supports the design, which targets high recovery rates for lead, zinc, copper, and silver. The process flow includes reagent addition in grinding and flotation circuits, utilizing specific flotation cells such as Sub A-24 and Sub A-18 Sp models. The final concentrates are dewatered using filter presses to achieve low moisture content before shipment.
Website: https://kuyasilver.com/project/bethania-silver-project
Report Date: 2021
Region: Not Specified
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver
Throughput: 350 tpd
Mine Life: Not Specified
Mine Type: Not Specified
Ore type: Sulfide
